[0:00]Hey there, English learners! Today, we're following Kevin, who dreams of having a dog and works hard to convince his mother. Find out how he handles the challenges and what decisions he and his mother face. To boost your listening skills, follow these three steps: First, listen to the story with subtitles. Next, explore useful vocabulary and expressions we highlight. Finally, challenge yourself by listening to the story again without any text. Ready to learn English with us? Let's get started! Kevin was sitting in his room, daydreaming. As his thoughts drifted, a desire formed within him. He wished he had a dog. With sparkling eyes and full of enthusiasm, he talked to his mother, Julia. It would be so awesome to have my own dog, he said, trying everything to convince her. At first, Julia, who worked from home, wasn't very enthusiastic about the idea. She explained that having a pet was a lot of responsibility. Pets could also be quite loud, which could disrupt her concentration while she worked. Kevin was surprised that his mother only saw the negative aspects of having a pet. Imagine we want to go on a trip. "What would we do with the dog?", she asked. Kevin hadn't thought about that. They'd need to find someone to take care of the pet every time they went on vacation. Julia also mentioned that pets shed hair, which ended up all over the house, even on the sofa. "That would mean more housework for me", she said. "If I had a dog, I wouldn't feel so lonely sometimes", Kevin countered.
[2:14]He told his mother that he would have a close friend to hang out with all the time. He could also learn to take on more responsibility by taking care of the dog and walking it every day. "And what about the food?", his mother asked. Who's going to pay for it? Kevin barely had enough pocket money for a packet of dog food, so this was a serious problem. Julia started to pay attention when Kevin mentioned that he would be more active with a dog. Lately, he had been staying in his room a lot, and she was worried that he wasn't getting enough exercise. "Dogs are loyal companions and love to play, and I love both of those things", Kevin said. Julia began to come around to the idea. Of course, she wanted her son to be happy, and having a loyal companion by his side would be wonderful. She finally agreed and suggested they visit a dog breeder that day. When they arrived, Kevin wasn't sure which dog to choose. But when one of the dogs looked at him with big eyes, Kevin immediately fell in love. Julia couldn't resist the adorable and friendly dog either, so they decided to take him home with them. Kevin bonded quickly with the little pup. Now he just needs a name. How about Finn? Or Charlie? Or do you have a better idea? Now, I would like to know, Are you more of a dog person or a cat person? Write it in the comments! Useful Vocabulary and Expressions his thoughts drifted his mind wandered to different thoughts While listening to music, her thoughts drifted to her childhood memories. Kevin was sitting in his room, daydreaming. As his thoughts drifted, a desire formed within him. enthusiasm excitement and interest His enthusiasm for the project inspired his team. With sparkling eyes and full of enthusiasm, he talked to his mother, Julia. enthusiastic the adjective for enthusiasm, showing excitement and interest Examples: She was enthusiastic about the upcoming concert. At first, Julia, who worked from home, wasn't very enthusiastic about the idea. to disrupt to interrupt or disturb A phone call disrupted the meeting. Pets could also be quite loud, which could disrupt her concentration while she worked. to take care of to look after someone or something Examples: It's important to take care of your health. They'd need to find someone to take care of the pet every time they went on vacation. to take on responsibility to agree to do certain tasks or duties She decided to take on more responsibility at work. He could also learn to take on more responsibility by taking care of the dog and walking it every day. a loyal companion a faithful friend who stays by your side Friends are loyal companions you can trust. "Dogs are loyal companions and love to play, and I love both of those things", Kevin said. to resist something. to stop yourself from doing something She couldn't resist the chocolate cake. Julia couldn't resist the adorable and friendly dog either, so they decided to take him home with them. to bond with to develop a close relationship Spending time together helped the family bond. Kevin immediately bonded with the little pup.
[7:09]Kevin was sitting in his room, daydreaming. As his thoughts drifted, a desire formed within him. He wished he had a dog. With sparkling eyes and full of enthusiasm, he talked to his mother, Julia. It would be so awesome to have my own dog, he said, trying everything to convince her. At first, Julia, who worked from home, wasn't very enthusiastic about the idea. She explained that having a pet was a lot of responsibility. Pets could also be quite loud, which could disrupt her concentration while she worked. Kevin was surprised that his mother only saw the negative aspects of having a pet. Imagine we want to go on a trip. "What would we do with the dog?", she asked. Kevin hadn't thought about that. They'd need to find someone to take care of the pet every time they went on vacation. Julia also mentioned that pets shed hair, which ended up all over the house, even on the sofa. "That would mean more housework for me", she said. "If I had a dog, I wouldn't feel so lonely sometimes", Kevin countered.
[8:46]He told his mother that he would have a close friend to hang out with all the time. He could also learn to take on more responsibility by taking care of the dog and walking it every day. "And what about the food?", his mother asked. Who's going to pay for it? Kevin barely had enough pocket money for a packet of dog food, so this was a serious problem. Julia started to pay attention when Kevin mentioned that he would be more active with a dog. Lately, he had been staying in his room a lot, and she was worried that he wasn't getting enough exercise. "Dogs are loyal companions and love to play, and I love both of those things", Kevin said. Julia began to come around to the idea. Of course, she wanted her son to be happy, and having a loyal companion by his side would be wonderful. She finally agreed and suggested they visit a dog breeder that day. When they arrived, Kevin wasn't sure which dog to choose. But when one of the dogs looked at him with big eyes, Kevin immediately fell in love. Julia couldn't resist the adorable and friendly dog either, so they decided to take him home with them. Kevin bonded quickly with the little pup. Now he just needs a name. How about Finn? Or Charlie? Or do you have a better idea? Now, I would like to know, Are you more of a dog person or a cat person? Write it in the comments!
